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Wireless Frequencies

This entry was posted on November 19, 2014 by B4S.

We can see that in many areas these days we are moving from wired to wireless. This is evidenced in many areas, our hardware accesses cloud data wirelessly whereas previously it accessed local data via wired connection. This has lead to a whole industry based around purchasing and licensing areas of the spectrum. Not only do we use these areas of the invisible spectrum for information transfer but a great many voice and video data services rely upon distinctly named areas for headset communications, cordless telephones, mobile phones and VoIP linking. The sheer number of connected devices often using several of the below protocols simultaneously has made unification of communications a reality for the modern business.

DECT

Standing for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications DECT is a standard which commonly operates over the 1.9GHz frequency and has been predominantly used for cordless phones. Further to this use there are many headsets which make use of DECT to communicate to the base as well as IP/ DECT whereby the VoIP system utilises DECT handsets for the operators.

WiFi

Although most businesses for reasons of legacy, speed and security have the majority of their traffic pass though a wired network WiFi lends itself for many uses in both business and home. It usually operates over the 2.4GHz UHF though the 5GHz SHF frequency is becoming more widespread. At home WiFi provides not only internet access to a range of devices such as laptops, ipads, Kindles and tablets but it also allows the connection of home appliances such as Smart TV's, Fridges, Central Heating, Security devices etc - indeed a rapidly expanding list. In the business arena commonly for reasons of security a limited WiFi network is made available for internal mobility and business meetings.

Bluetooth

Developed by Ericsson and using the same frequency as WiFi : 2.4GHz UHF this transmission method was adopted initially for the connection of peripheral devices to mobile phones and was standardised as IEEE 802.15.1. Bluetooth has come along way since its inception in 1994 and now is a commonly used transmission for headsets of all kinds - many business telephones have a built in Bluetooth so that headsets can be connected easily to them. Further uses for Bluetooth include Peltor's ear defending headsets which communicate via Bluetooth allowing access to a range of differing communications platforms at the same time.

GSM

The Global System for Mobile Communications has had to scrape/ and pay highly for many differing ranges in the spectrum over the last few years to cope with the increasing use of mobile devices as well as the huge rise in data requested by these users. It operates over a range of frequencies starting at 800MHz to 2100MHz

4G LTE

An extension to the mobile phone spectrum but not a GSM frequency - 4G operates at 2.6GHz and, although does not have the range or penetration of the lower frequency signals it allows a massive amount of simultaneous high speed connections and is now the most yearned for feature in any modern smartphone, capable of speeds twice as that of 3G.

Further Frequencies

At the lower end of the communications spectrum Maritime radio and navigation which requires more distance than speed uses VLF - Very Low Frequency with a high wavelength whilst at the higher end we have x-rays, UV rays and gamma radiation.

In The News

High profile auctions take place worldwide with companies and groups bidding for the right to use specific frequencies such as the recent Ofcom auction for 4G Ofcom 4G Action - to understand the amounts involved : the UK Government raised £22.5 Billion auctioning five 3G licences in 2000.Net Neutrality has been in the news of late ( it refers to the right of all data to be given the same priority over a network ) as the ISP's have acted in some instances to place priority for certain types of data traffic.